What DFW Homeowners Should Know About Dollar Spot Fungus 

How to Identify, Stop & Prevent This Pesky Lawn Disease

Tan-colored, bleached circles suddenly popping up all over your yard? The likely suspect is dollar spot fungus. It’s a widespread lawn disease that ruins your grass’s appearance.

More resources get invested in fighting this single turf problem than any other fungal issue. Why? It’s remarkably common and incredibly annoying to deal with. 

But don’t worry just yet. Let the professionals at GroGreen explain what’s really happening to your lawn and what practical steps you can take to fix it.

What Exactly Is Dollar Spot Fungus? 

Dollar spot comes from a fungal pathogen called Clarireedia jacksonii. This particular disease targets your grass’s leaf blades rather than the roots or crowns, which is actually good news. It indicates your lawn has the potential to bounce back with the right care.

The term “dollar spot” comes from how the damage appears on cut turf. You’ll notice circular, silver dollar-sized spots (1 to 2 inches in diameter) that develop a bleached tan color. These individual spots can blend together into larger, straw-colored patches that genuinely thin your grass and create perfect openings for weeds to move in.

Dollar spot will attack cool-season types like Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and perennial ryegrass. But it’s equally willing to wreck warm-season grasses like Bermuda and zoysia too. The bottom line? If you’ve got a lawn, you’re potentially at risk. 

What Causes It? 

Afternoon or evening watering. Irrigating during these hours keeps grass blades damp for way too long.

 

Insufficient nitrogen levels. Under-fertilized lawns are sitting ducks because the grass isn’t growing vigorously enough to outpace the infection.

 

Mowing stress. Cutting your grass too short, using dull mower blades, or scalping the lawn weakens grass and makes fungal invasion much easier.

 

Thatch accumulation and soil compaction. Reduced air and water movement creates that dry-soil-yet-moist-canopy environment dollar spot loves.

 

Limited air circulation. Dense shrubbery, low-hanging tree branches, and excessive shade trap moisture, encouraging lawn diseases to flourish.

 

What Does Dollar Spot Look Like?

The clearest sign of dollar spot? Those telltale patches of small, straw-colored, or bleached spots about the size of a silver dollar.

 

When you look closer, you’ll spot tan lesions running across the blade in an hourglass pattern. They’re bordered with a reddish-brown edge that’s pretty distinctive.

 

Another clue you’re dealing with dollar spot fungus? White, cobweb-like material on grass during dewy mornings. That’s the mycelium becoming visible when the grass is wet. As sunshine appears and the blades dry out, it vanishes. So you could easily miss it if you’re not looking early.

Timing & Temperatures for Dollar Spot 

Dollar spot really thrives in its specific weather conditions, particularly temperatures ranging between 60°F and 90°F. Add humid days and cool, dewy nights to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect storm for fungal growth.

 

So you typically see it from late spring through early fall in Dallas, TX. Outbreaks usually peak in late summer when all those environmental factors line up just right.

 

This lawn fungus absolutely loves extended moisture sitting on grass blades combined with low nitrogen levels in the soil. If you’re watering your lawn and that water only dampens the leaf surfaces (instead of soaking deep into the root zone), you’re creating exactly the conditions this fungus craves.

 

Dollar spot spreads primarily through mycelium, or fungal threads, on previously infected plants. The most effective carriers? Grass clippings. Even walking around your yard after mowing can distribute it throughout your property.

 

It survives winter as structures called pseudosclerotia, hidden in dead plant debris. When temperatures start rising in spring, those structures reactivate and the whole cycle begins again. In most areas, the pattern runs from early May straight through the end of October.

Best Ways to Fight This Turf Disease

Choose a Fungicide Treatment

Hands down, the two most effective fungicides for dollar spot fungus are chlorothalonil and propiconazole. Here’s what lawn care pros know that most homeowners miss: You can’t just keep spraying the same fungicide repeatedly. The fungus develops resistance to it. So for long-term control, rotation is absolutely essential! Typically, you’ll need to reapply every 14 to 28 days during high-risk periods of the year.

Enhance Access to Air and Sunlight

Trim back low tree branches and thick shrubs that shade your lawn and create a damp environment over the grass. Better air circulation helps dew and irrigation water dry more quickly, disrupting the ideal fungal conditions.

Select the Right Grass

When overseeding time arrives or you’re planning a lawn renovation, choose a grass variety with better resistance to dollar spot disease. Not all grass is created equal—some varieties have been specifically bred to resist common lawn diseases like this one.

You should also determine the appropriate grass type for your region. If you’re fighting your climate by trying to grow cool-season grass in a warm area or vice versa, you’re just making life harder than it needs to be. Match your turfgrass selection to your geographic location, soil conditions, landscape characteristics, and how you actually use your lawn.

Prevent the Spread

When you’ve got active dollar spot, you definitely don’t want to help it spread around. Instead of mulching grass clippings back into the lawn, bag or collect clippings from infected zones. Clean your mower deck and equipment after use, especially if you’re transitioning from an infected section to a healthy area.

Remove the Dew

If you’re serious about prevention, mow early in the morning to eliminate dew-covered grass tips. On larger properties, some folks even drag a hose or rope across the lawn to knock dew off the blades, or roll something lightweight across the yard to absorb the moisture. These methods might sound overly simple, but they genuinely work.

Allow Your Soil to Breathe

Annual lawn aeration reduces compaction and improves water and nutrient penetration. Without it, the elements your grass needs to thrive simply can’t reach where your grass can actually use them.

Also, if your thatch layer exceeds half an inch, it’s time to dethatch for better airflow and drainage. You don’t want anything blocking water and nutrients from reaching the roots where they’re needed most.

Modify Your Watering Schedule

This might not sound like a huge deal, but trust us—it really is. Water thoroughly but infrequently, targeting about 1 inch per week, during early morning hours (between 5 and 10 a.m.).

Watering at this time allows the soil to absorb moisture while letting grass blades dry quickly as the sun rises. Keep in mind, you want moisture in the root zone, not sitting on the leaves.

And definitely stop those shallow evening sprinklings. Sure, sometimes that’s the only time you’re home to turn on the sprinkler. But you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for dollar spot.

Adjust Your Mowing Height

Taller grass blades provide shade for the soil, maintain better moisture in the root area, and create an environment that’s less favorable for fungus. Plus, taller grass is just healthier and more resilient in general.

Important reminder: Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height in a single mowing session. And keep your mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting cleanly, and those ragged edges become more vulnerable to infection.

Feed Your Lawn Nitrogen

Give your grass a boost with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in late spring to help it grow strong through early summer, when dollar spot outbreaks often start. Continue with light, regular nitrogen applications throughout the growing season at rates recommended for your specific grass type.

Healthy, well-fed grass can actually outgrow the disease. Undernourished lawns? They struggle to recover and just keep deteriorating.

Contact GroGreen

When lawn fungus is taking over your yard, hiring a professional lawn care company will absolutely pay off over time. It’ll save you time, money, and plenty of headaches, since we know exactly which products to use, when to apply them, and how frequently to rotate them for best results.

Dollar Spot Fungus FAQS 

Is fungicide always required?

If you catch dollar spot fungus early and adjust your maintenance practices right away, you can often suppress the disease without resorting to chemicals. However, if it persists, a fungicide application will probably be required.

What is the best fungicide for dollar spot?

Chlorothalonil and propiconazole are two of the most effective options. Just make sure to rotate them to prevent resistance from developing.

Will my lawn actually recover from this lawn fungus?

Absolutely! Since dollar spot attacks the leaf blades rather than the roots or crowns, your lawn can definitely bounce back. Most lawns start showing visible improvement within 2 to 4 weeks after you implement control measures, add appropriate nitrogen, and maintain the proper mowing height.

Will dollar spot go away on its own?

Not typically. Active treatment helps limit the spread significantly. To prevent it from returning, maintain proper nitrogen levels, water early in the morning, mow at the right height, and reduce thatch buildup.

Trust the Top Lawn Care Professionals In Dallas

DIY efforts can only accomplish so much. You might spend countless hours and tons of energy without much to show for it. The easiest path to a gorgeous lawn is trusting your local experts who do this every day.

When you want to eradicate dollar spot (and other lawn care diseases), reach out to GroGreen. With highly trained technicians and industry-leading products, we’ll take steps to help achieve your dream yard. We proudly serve the greater DFW area, ensuring high-quality lawn care and pest control services for these communities:

• Allen, TX
• Carrollton, TX
• Coppell, TX
• Fairview Farmers Branch, TX
• Flower Mound, TX
• Frisco, TX
• Lucas, TX
• McKinney, TX
• Murphy, TX
• Parker, TX
• Plano, TX
• Prosper, TX
• Richardson, TX 
• Sachse, TX
• St. Paul, TX
• The Colony, TX
• Wylie, TX